BREAKING: Young people given ‘Formal Caution’ for prank 911 calls

ST. PETER’S: Richmond District RCMP reported receiving a total of 18 calls to 911 from the same deactivated cell phone between January 19 and February 7.

Police said that for most of the calls, no one answered the dispatcher and hung up when they were asked, “911, what is your emergency?” In three of the calls, according to the RCMP, the caller said they needed help but the dispatcher could hear the caller laughing.

“We have to answer all 911 calls, and the police officers on the road have to respond to them as well. The individual who was calling us was taking away valuable resources from other potential emergency situations.”

The St. Peter’s detachment investigated the 911 calls and found that two female youths from Framboise, ages 12 and 14, made the calls. The RCMP worked with the youth, their parents, and the local school and both were given a Formal Caution, which is an option that police have under the Youth Criminal Justice Act as an alternative to laying a charge.

The fine for making false 911 calls under the Nova Scotia Emergency 911 Act is $697.50.